Offside Duties

1. Offside Duties Critical Responsibilities of the Assistant Referee

2. Objective At the end of this lesson, the learner will be able to state the critical responsibilities of an assistant referee during offside situations. As this lesson evolves, the objective will change to incorporate any new materials or emphases, such as responding to video footage or demonstrating techniques.As this lesson evolves, the objective will change to incorporate any new materials or emphases, such as responding to video footage or demonstrating techniques.

3. United States Soccer Federation Duties of the Assistant Referee when ball passes out of the field of play which side entitled to that restart when a player may be penalized for being in an offside position when substitution is requested when misconduct occurs out of the view of the referee These duties are summarized from the Memorandum 2000. Until the new Lawbooks are available, it would be handy to have a copy of the memo to read the exact points.These duties are summarized from the Memorandum 2000. Until the new Lawbooks are available, it would be handy to have a copy of the memo to read the exact points.

4. United States Soccer Federation Duties of the Assistant Referee when offenses have been committed whenever the assistants are closer to the action than the referee (this includes, in particular circumstances, offenses committed in the penalty area) whether, at penalty kicks, the goalkeeper has moved forward before the ball has been kicked and if the ball has crossed the line These are two new points added to the duties of the Assistant Referee. If your students are unfamiliar with these new procedures, you might take a few moments to go over the Memorandum 2000 and its advice on these new duties.These are two new points added to the duties of the Assistant Referee. If your students are unfamiliar with these new procedures, you might take a few moments to go over the Memorandum 2000 and its advice on these new duties.

5. United States Soccer Federation What is the most important duty of the Assistant Referee? Since the title of this presentation is Offside Duties: Critical Responsibilities of the Assistant Referee, it will probably not come as a surprise that this question has already been answered. But you may get other answers that are also correct. A lively debate may ensue. If time permits, you may explore other opinions.Since the title of this presentation is Offside Duties: Critical Responsibilities of the Assistant Referee, it will probably not come as a surprise that this question has already been answered. But you may get other answers that are also correct. A lively debate may ensue. If time permits, you may explore other opinions.

6. United States Soccer Federation In other words, the most important duty of the Assistant Referee is to indicate when a player may be penalized for being in an offside position. The real question is on the next slide, �WHY?�.In other words, the most important duty of the Assistant Referee is to indicate when a player may be penalized for being in an offside position. The real question is on the next slide, �WHY?�.

7. United States Soccer Federation Why? AR is in the best position to make call can make or break scoring opportunities other calls can be �sold� by the Referee Why is Offside the most important duty or responsibility of the AR? The AR is in the best position to judge offside position during dynamic play. Question: What is that position? Answer: Second to last defender or the ball, whichever is closer to the goal line. This call can make or break scoring opportunities. That�s why USSF advises, �If in doubt, keep the flag DOWN�. Other calls can be sold by the Referee. If you�re concentrating on offside and the ball leaves the field of play, the Referee can sell a call even it you�re closer to the play. How? By you mirroring the Referee�s call.Why is Offside the most important duty or responsibility of the AR? The AR is in the best position to judge offside position during dynamic play. Question: What is that position? Answer: Second to last defender or the ball, whichever is closer to the goal line. This call can make or break scoring opportunities. That�s why USSF advises, �If in doubt, keep the flag DOWN�. Other calls can be sold by the Referee. If you�re concentrating on offside and the ball leaves the field of play, the Referee can sell a call even it you�re closer to the play. How? By you mirroring the Referee�s call.

8. United States Soccer Federation Critical Responsibilities Be in correct position to judge offside position Be watching the second-to-last defender when the ball is played Be able to quickly determine if an �offside� player is involved with active play Use correct mechanics to communicate In order to perform your primary duty as it relates to offside, these critical responsibilities have been identified: Being in the correct position to determine player position. Watching the movements of the players and the positions of those players the moment the ball is touched or played by a teammate. Have the ability to quickly determine if a player in an offside position is involved in active play. And using the correct mechanics to effectively communicate your decision to the referee. In order to perform your primary duty as it relates to offside, these critical responsibilities have been identified: Being in the correct position to determine player position. Watching the movements of the players and the positions of those players the moment the ball is touched or played by a teammate. Have the ability to quickly determine if a player in an offside position is involved in active play. And using the correct mechanics to effectively communicate your decision to the referee.

9. United States Soccer Federation How can this be done? Concentration on your responsibilities You can�t be a ball watcher This will also help with misconduct Scanning the field Players, then Referee, then ball 70/5/15 Fitness Physical Mental How many times has this happened, the game is boring and you start to watch the action. Suddenly there is a through pass to an attacker and you�re way out of position. Why has this happened? You lost focus on what your duties are. You were ball watching instead of concentrating on your responsibilities. If a game is boring, what can you do to maintain your focus? Elicit responses from the students. One suggestion is to do a mental play-by-play of the game. �Red #3 passes to #8, who passes to the right wing. Pass is intercepted by Blue #6�� Of course, this is still ball watching, so you can�t ignore your duties as an assistant. That�s where scanning the field will help. You watch the players, especially the second to last defender, where the Referee is, then the ball. You continue to scan throughout the match. 70/5/15, this refers to the percentage of time you allocate to the players, the Referee and the ball. This doesn�t mean you watch the players for certain amount of time, then watch the Referee, then the ball. You�ll notice that 70+5+15=90, where is the other 10%? That�s time you�re watching the other AR, watching for substitutes and scanning other areas, such as team areas. Fitness, you have to be fit to stay with the play and be mentally sharp! How many times has this happened, the game is boring and you start to watch the action. Suddenly there is a through pass to an attacker and you�re way out of position. Why has this happened? You lost focus on what your duties are. You were ball watching instead of concentrating on your responsibilities. If a game is boring, what can you do to maintain your focus? Elicit responses from the students. One suggestion is to do a mental play-by-play of the game. �Red #3 passes to #8, who passes to the right wing. Pass is intercepted by Blue #6�� Of course, this is still ball watching, so you can�t ignore your duties as an assistant. That�s where scanning the field will help. You watch the players, especially the second to last defender, where the Referee is, then the ball. You continue to scan throughout the match. 70/5/15, this refers to the percentage of time you allocate to the players, the Referee and the ball. This doesn�t mean you watch the players for certain amount of time, then watch the Referee, then the ball. You�ll notice that 70+5+15=90, where is the other 10%? That�s time you�re watching the other AR, watching for substitutes and scanning other areas, such as team areas. Fitness, you have to be fit to stay with the play and be mentally sharp!

10. United States Soccer Federation ELEMENTS OF THE LAW Position nearer to opponent�s goal line than the ball and the second last opponent Unless is in own half of the field is level (even) with second last opponent is level with the last two opponents Let�s review the elements of Law 11. The Law first talks about offside position. Remember, it is not an offense in itself to be in an offside position. What is offside position? See slide for elements. Let�s review the elements of Law 11. The Law first talks about offside position. Remember, it is not an offense in itself to be in an offside position. What is offside position? See slide for elements.

11. United States Soccer Federation Assume that Red is attacking the goal on the right. From what you know right now, is the Red player in an offside position? Should we stop the game to penalize the Red player? No! What else do we need to know?Assume that Red is attacking the goal on the right. From what you know right now, is the Red player in an offside position? Should we stop the game to penalize the Red player? No! What else do we need to know?

12. United States Soccer Federation ELEMENTS OF THE LAW Timing at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of their team There is no offside offense if a player receives the ball directly from: a goal kick corner kick or a throw-in We need to know where the player was when the ball was played by a teammate. We also need to know if the player received the ball directly from a throw-in, goal kick or corner kick.We need to know where the player was when the ball was played by a teammate. We also need to know if the player received the ball directly from a throw-in, goal kick or corner kick.

13. United States Soccer Federation Again, assume that Red is attacking the goal on the right. Should we stop the game to penalize the Red player? Yes! Why? The player was in an offside position when a teammate passed the ball to him. How does this differ from simply being in an offside position? Involvement in active play or the area of active play.Again, assume that Red is attacking the goal on the right. Should we stop the game to penalize the Red player? Yes! Why? The player was in an offside position when a teammate passed the ball to him. How does this differ from simply being in an offside position? Involvement in active play or the area of active play.

14. United States Soccer Federation ELEMENTS OF THE LAW interfering with play interfering with an opponent gaining an advantage by being in that position

15. United States Soccer Federation Again, assume that Red is attacking the goal on the right. Should we stop the game to penalize the Red player who is in offside position? No! Why not? The player was not in the area of active play. Where is the area of active play? Again, assume that Red is attacking the goal on the right. Should we stop the game to penalize the Red player who is in offside position? No! Why not? The player was not in the area of active play. Where is the area of active play?

16. United States Soccer Federation AREA OF ACTIVE PLAY Is that sector of the field where players actively participate in that play Key factors here are actively participate and in that play. We�ve defined how you determine active participation, so how do you determine the area of active participation? Let�s look at a few examples.Key factors here are actively participate and in that play. We�ve defined how you determine active participation, so how do you determine the area of active participation? Let�s look at a few examples.

17. United States Soccer Federation Again, assume that Red is attacking the goal on the right. In the previous example, we determined that the player was in an offside position, but wasn�t involved in active play. The area of active play is basically a triangle drawn from the point where the ball was played, fanning out to where the ball ends up. In this case, the area of active play is long and narrow because the play is toward the touchline rather than the goal. Let�s try another example.Again, assume that Red is attacking the goal on the right. In the previous example, we determined that the player was in an offside position, but wasn�t involved in active play. The area of active play is basically a triangle drawn from the point where the ball was played, fanning out to where the ball ends up. In this case, the area of active play is long and narrow because the play is toward the touchline rather than the goal. Let�s try another example.

18. United States Soccer Federation Again, we�ve determined that the player was in an offside position, but now the area of active play is much closer to that player. The critical determination is, was the player in the offside position involved with that particular play? No, even if the player turned toward the pass and even took a step toward it, he would not have affected that play. Again, we�ve determined that the player was in an offside position, but now the area of active play is much closer to that player. The critical determination is, was the player in the offside position involved with that particular play? No, even if the player turned toward the pass and even took a step toward it, he would not have affected that play.

19. United States Soccer Federation MECHANICS Before raising the flag to indicate a player is offside, be certain that the player is: Involved with active play, or Interfering with an opponent, or Gaining an advantage by being in an offside position Only then signal to the referee when you are wholly satisfied that this is the case So, as Assistant Referees, we must be aware of players� movements, on and off the ball, in order to determine if there is an offside infraction. That means we might have to delay our signal before we can make a complete determination of the involvement of the �offside� player.So, as Assistant Referees, we must be aware of players� movements, on and off the ball, in order to determine if there is an offside infraction. That means we might have to delay our signal before we can make a complete determination of the involvement of the �offside� player.

20. United States Soccer Federation Again, we�ve determined that the player was in an offside position, but now the area of active play is much closer to that player. This time the ball seems to be going directly to the �offside� player. Your first reaction might be to raise the flag, but what else might happen? As the AR, is delaying the signal something you�ve been doing? Should the Red team be penalized for offside? What can that player do to show non-involvement in the play? Again, we�ve determined that the player was in an offside position, but now the area of active play is much closer to that player. This time the ball seems to be going directly to the �offside� player. Your first reaction might be to raise the flag, but what else might happen? As the AR, is delaying the signal something you�ve been doing? Should the Red team be penalized for offside? What can that player do to show non-involvement in the play?

21. United States Soccer Federation Non-Involvement Clear intention to not participate: Standing still Turning away from the play Kneeling Moving away from active play Stepping off the field of play The player can show non-involvement in several ways, by standing still by turning his back to the play by kneeling down by moving away from the area of active play by stepping off the field What about the defenders who see the player in offside position and stop and raise their hands to indicate offside? You should not penalize the attacking team because of mistakes on the part of the defensive team. If you feel that the player in offside position interfered with play or an opponent, then you must indicate that, but simply being in offside position doesn�t automatically make him guilty of an infraction. The player can show non-involvement in several ways, by standing still by turning his back to the play by kneeling down by moving away from the area of active play by stepping off the field What about the defenders who see the player in offside position and stop and raise their hands to indicate offside? You should not penalize the attacking team because of mistakes on the part of the defensive team. If you feel that the player in offside position interfered with play or an opponent, then you must indicate that, but simply being in offside position doesn�t automatically make him guilty of an infraction.

22. United States Soccer Federation MECHANICS If the player who scores a goal is offside: indicate offside infraction with raised flag hold until recognized by the Referee indicate where infraction occurred If a teammate of the scoring player is in an offside position: stop, face the field and make eye contact keep the flag at your side explain circumstances to the Referee Referee makes final determination If the scorer was offside, the procedure is simple -- as indicated on the overhead. However, if a teammate of the scorer is in an offside position, a problem may arise with the opponents. In the previous example with a teammate in offside position, that player was judged not to be involved in active play, even though the defensive players stopped when the ball was passed in his direction. But what happens if a different teammate runs from an offside position onto the ball, dribbles the ball toward the goal, shoots and scores. What are the defending players going to shout? �Offsides, Ref!� or similar (yet more profane) comments. As the Assistant Referee, what mechanic should you use? Stop, face the field, make eye contact with the Referee. Keep the flag at your side. This mechanic tells the Referee �I have a problem or question about the goal.� The Referee should come over and speak with you. You should explain what you saw, the reason you didn�t raise your flag on the initial pass and let the Referee make the determination.If the scorer was offside, the procedure is simple -- as indicated on the overhead. However, if a teammate of the scorer is in an offside position, a problem may arise with the opponents. In the previous example with a teammate in offside position, that player was judged not to be involved in active play, even though the defensive players stopped when the ball was passed in his direction. But what happens if a different teammate runs from an offside position onto the ball, dribbles the ball toward the goal, shoots and scores. What are the defending players going to shout? �Offsides, Ref!� or similar (yet more profane) comments. As the Assistant Referee, what mechanic should you use? Stop, face the field, make eye contact with the Referee. Keep the flag at your side. This mechanic tells the Referee �I have a problem or question about the goal.� The Referee should come over and speak with you. You should explain what you saw, the reason you didn�t raise your flag on the initial pass and let the Referee make the determination.

23. United States Soccer Federation For the sake of clarity, we�ll concentrate on the attacking half of the field. When attacking play takes place in front of the goal, the area of active play is usually a triangle drawn from the position of the ball to each goalpost. But this area shifts, widens, narrows, lengthens, or shortens, according to where the ball is going and who is �involved.� A player in an offside position, and in the area of active play when a shot is taken, is normally called for an infraction.For the sake of clarity, we�ll concentrate on the attacking half of the field. When attacking play takes place in front of the goal, the area of active play is usually a triangle drawn from the position of the ball to each goalpost. But this area shifts, widens, narrows, lengthens, or shortens, according to where the ball is going and who is �involved.� A player in an offside position, and in the area of active play when a shot is taken, is normally called for an infraction.

24. United States Soccer Federation For the sake of clarity, we�ll concentrate on the attacking half of the field. In this example, a teammate of the player with the ball is in offside position. On a shot on goal, the teammate would not be in the area of active play, but if the goalkeeper deflects the ball or it rebounds from the goal to him, he is now in the new area of active play. For the sake of clarity, we�ll concentrate on the attacking half of the field. In this example, a teammate of the player with the ball is in offside position. On a shot on goal, the teammate would not be in the area of active play, but if the goalkeeper deflects the ball or it rebounds from the goal to him, he is now in the new area of active play.

25. United States Soccer Federation

26. United States Soccer Federation

27. United States Soccer Federation For the sake of clarity, we�ll concentrate on the attacking half of the field. When attacking play takes place in front of the goal, the area of active play is usually a triangle drawn from the position of the ball to each goalpost. But this area shifts, widens, narrows, lengthens, or shortens, according to where the ball is going and who is �involved.� A player in an offside position, and in the area of active play when a shot is taken, is normally called for an infraction.For the sake of clarity, we�ll concentrate on the attacking half of the field. When attacking play takes place in front of the goal, the area of active play is usually a triangle drawn from the position of the ball to each goalpost. But this area shifts, widens, narrows, lengthens, or shortens, according to where the ball is going and who is �involved.� A player in an offside position, and in the area of active play when a shot is taken, is normally called for an infraction.

28. United States Soccer Federation Other Responsibilities when ball passes out of the field of play which side entitled to that restart when substitution is requested when misconduct occurs out of the view of the referee when foul occurs closer to you if keeper moves forward before PK We�ve talked about the most important duty of the Assistant Referee, but there are additional responsibilities outlined in the Laws of the Game. When the ball leaves the field of play. Which side is entitled to a corner kick, goal kick or throw-in When a substitution is requested When misconduct occurs out of the view of the Referee When offenses have been committed whenever the assistants are closer to the action than the Referee (this includes, in particular circumstances, offenses committed in the penalty area) Whether, at penalty kicks, the goalkeeper has moved forward before the ball has been kicked and if the ball has crossed the line. How can the AR do all these things without diminishing attention to offside duties? By scanning between the players, the Referee and the ball.We�ve talked about the most important duty of the Assistant Referee, but there are additional responsibilities outlined in the Laws of the Game. When the ball leaves the field of play. Which side is entitled to a corner kick, goal kick or throw-in When a substitution is requested When misconduct occurs out of the view of the Referee When offenses have been committed whenever the assistants are closer to the action than the Referee (this includes, in particular circumstances, offenses committed in the penalty area) Whether, at penalty kicks, the goalkeeper has moved forward before the ball has been kicked and if the ball has crossed the line. How can the AR do all these things without diminishing attention to offside duties? By scanning between the players, the Referee and the ball.

29. United States Soccer Federation You are the Assistant Referee on the right half of the diagram. During play in your area of responsibility, you scan the players, especially the second to last defender (2LD), the Referee and the ball. As play develops, the amount of attention you allot for a particular area will change. In this example, the AR first checks where the second-to-last defender is positioned. He next checks the position of the Referee and then to the ball, where he may have to judge whether the ball has left the field of play. He continues to scan the field, where he sees a Red forward begin a run. He checks the position of the defenders, while listening for the sound of the ball being kicked. He is ready to sprint or signal depending on if and when the ball is passed. If nothing comes of the play, he continues to scan the field and repositions himself to stay in line with the 2LD.You are the Assistant Referee on the right half of the diagram. During play in your area of responsibility, you scan the players, especially the second to last defender (2LD), the Referee and the ball. As play develops, the amount of attention you allot for a particular area will change. In this example, the AR first checks where the second-to-last defender is positioned. He next checks the position of the Referee and then to the ball, where he may have to judge whether the ball has left the field of play. He continues to scan the field, where he sees a Red forward begin a run. He checks the position of the defenders, while listening for the sound of the ball being kicked. He is ready to sprint or signal depending on if and when the ball is passed. If nothing comes of the play, he continues to scan the field and repositions himself to stay in line with the 2LD.

30. United States Soccer Federation Review Offside is your most important duty You must instantly recognize offside position You must quickly judge involvement in active play Scanning the field will allow you to view more than just offside positioning

31. United States Soccer Federation If in doubt, No Flag!

32. Offside Duties Critical Responsibilities of the Assistant Referee

33. United States Soccer Federation You are the Assistant Referee on the right half of the diagram. During play in your area of responsibility, you scan the players (especially the second to last defender), the Referee and the ball.You are the Assistant Referee on the right half of the diagram. During play in your area of responsibility, you scan the players (especially the second to last defender), the Referee and the ball.

34. United States Soccer Federation Assume that Red is attacking the goal on the right. From what you know right now, is the Red player in an offside position? Should we stop the game to penalize the Red player? No! What else do we need to know?Assume that Red is attacking the goal on the right. From what you know right now, is the Red player in an offside position? Should we stop the game to penalize the Red player? No! What else do we need to know?